Within five days of his arrival in the Mediterranean in June 1815 in command of a squadron of ten ships, Commodore Stephen Decatur had captured two Algerine warships, including her flagship Meshuda, and killed the commander of the enemy fleet.

With word of the American squadron rippling through the region, Decatur sensed that his chances of catching more enemy vessels out at sea were dwindling. Perhaps they would be withdrawing to the safety of their home port. "I shall proceed to the Port of Algiers, in the hope of impeding their return," he reported.

After more than a month at sea and with scurvy spreading among his own men, his squadron was in need of fresh supplies of water, fruit, and vegetables.

The time had come, he decided, to open talks.

Decatur's squadron arrived off Algiers on June 28. The city was protected from naval attack by more than 400 cannon. On June 29 Decatur's flagship Guerriere raised two flags, a white flag of truce and the flag of Sweden to summon the Swedish consul to serve as an intermediary between the Americans and the ruling dey of Algiers.

The Swedish consul, Johan Norderling, and the captain of the port of Algiers were ferried to the Guerriere. Decatur was resplendent in navy blue coat with gold trim and white trousers, the pale blue and white ribbon and gold leaf bald eagle of the Order of Cincinnati pinned to his lapel. Radiating a proconsular authority, Decatur led his guests to his great cabin, where William Shaler, the former merchant seaman and diplomat appointed to assist in peace negotiations, awaited.